Methods related to inductive heating in extruders

ABSTRACT

Methods related to inductive heating in extruders. In some embodiments, a method for heating a feedstock or liquid material can include providing a heating body having inlet and outlet orifices connected via a passage or passages or mixing chamber to define a nozzle, and forming a magnetic loop with a coil of conductive wire wound through the center and around the outside of a core of magnetic but electrically non-conductive or low-conductivity material. The method can further include a high-frequency alternating current applied to the coil, producing a magnetic flux locally heating the nozzle. Some embodiments have passive regulation or limiting of nozzle temperature by selection of a core material with an appropriate Curie temperature.

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thisapplication is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/843,843filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Inductively Heated Extruder Heater”.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 4,256,945 B1 Mar.17, 1981 Philip S. Carter 5,003,145 B1 Mar. 26, 1991 Eugen Nolle et al.7,942,987 B1 May 17, 2011 S. Scott Crump et al. 5,121,329 B1 Jun. 9,1992 S. Scott Crump 6,238,613 B1 May 29, 2001 John S. Batchelder6,142,207 B1 Nov. 7, 2000 Francis Richardot 7,194,885 B1 Mar. 27, 2007Daniel J. Hawkes U.S. Patent Application Publications Publication NumberKind Code Publ. Date Applicant 20120070523 A1 Sep. 22, 2012 Swanson etal. Foreign Patent Documents Foreign Doc. Nr. Cntry Code Kind Code Pub.Date App or Patentee 2156715 EP B1 May 2, 2012 Mcdonald Non-patentLiterature Documents Jacob Bayless, UBC-Rapid.com, “Induction HeatingExtruder”, March 2012 Reprap.org, “Arcol.hu Hot End Version 4”, January2013

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

One class of 3-D printers or additive manufacturing systems usesthermoplastic filament or rod heated to a softened, molten, or liquidstate and extruded through a small hole in a nozzle to build up a partor model. The extruder nozzle is moved relative to a platform, undercomputer control, to lay down a bead of the thermoplastic on theplatform as a feeder mechanism pushes the filament or rod into theextruder heater. The computer interprets a file of movement instructionsto drive three axes of motion while starting and stopping the flow ofheated plastic. The part or model is built up layer by layer on theplatform.

Prior art heater designs for 3-D printers fall into two categories. Thevast majority of filament-type 3-D printers use simple resistanceheaters wrapped around or encased in a metal nozzle or heating body(often simply called the “hot end”). The resistance heating element issupplied with direct current or line-frequency (50 or 60 Hz) alternatingcurrent, turned on and off by an electronic or mechanical thermostatdevice to maintain proper temperature. The heating body assembly must bephysically large to accommodate a suitably high-wattage resistanceheater element. The heater/nozzle assembly is wrapped in insulation toprevent other components in the printer from overheating. The StratasysU.S. published patent application 2012/0070523 is typical of thisapproach. Another typical resistively heated extruder nozzle assembly isthe Arcol unit.

Resistance heated extruders are by nature relatively heavy. We havefound that the weight of the extruder heater, the large heated zone andthe slow response time to temperature set point changes are majorlimitations on the speed and accuracy of current 3-D printers.

If the temperature sensor, thermostatic device, or control circuit in aprior art conventional resistive extruder heater fails, we have observedthat the heater may overheat or even catch fire. Extra circuitry isneeded to detect heater control failure.

A few printer designs have used or proposed to use an induction heatingmethod (also sometimes called “eddy current heating”). Conventionalinduction heaters consist of a helical coil of wire surrounding anelectrically conductive metal heating block. An oscillator creates ahigh-frequency alternating current that is applied to the wire coil. Themagnetic field created by this current couples to the metal heatingblock, which heats up due to eddy currents in its internal resistance.We have determined that the magnetic field may also radiate all aroundthe outside of the coil of wire, causing electromagnetic interferenceand undesired heating of nearby metallic objects. The plastic filamentto be melted is fed into an orifice in the heater block. Because theheater block is entirely surrounded by the wire coil, it is difficult tomake direct temperature measurements of the heater block so as toproperly control the melt temperature. A thermocouple, resistivetemperature device, or thermostat placed on the heater block inside thestraight-line coil will experience eddy current and hysteresis heatingitself, causing errors in temperature measurement. If the heater blockis extended far enough beyond the ends of the coil to provide ameasurement location not adversely affected by the magnetic field of thestraight-line coil, the temperature measured will not accurately reflectthe temperature at the center of the heater block where the plasticfilament is melted.

Resistance heaters and straight-coil induction heaters are also thecurrent state of technology in hot-glue adhesive dispensers, both manualhand-operated dispensers and industrial automatic dispensers. We haveobserved that the large heater blocks necessitated by resistance heatingmake it difficult to regulate the temperature at the nozzle tip. We havefound that heating is slow, and cooling is also slow, leading todripping of adhesive after the dispenser is turned off.

We have also observed that the large, hot blocks of metal inconventional resistance heaters in 3-D printers and adhesive dispensersare hazardous to operators because of the large area of exposed nozzleand their long cool-down time after power is removed.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of our inductively heated extruder heater or adhesivedispenser uses an electrically conductive nozzle of minimal size, withan inlet orifice and an outlet orifice connected by a passage, insertedinto a gap or hole through a magnetic core formed in the shape of aloop. A high-frequency magnetic field is created in the core by ahelical coil of wire wrapped through the center and around the core andconnected to a source of high-frequency alternating current. Thehigh-frequency magnetic field in the core gap induces eddy currents inthe metal nozzle, rapidly heating it to the melting temperature of thefilament or feedstock to be extruded. Another embodiment uses a ferrousmaterial for the nozzle. The magnetic field will cause heating of thenozzle from both eddy current losses due to the electrical conductivity,and hysteresis losses due to the magnetic properties of the ferrousmaterial.

The soft magnetic core material is selected to have a Curie temperaturebelow the maximum safe operating temperature of the extruder ordispenser.

Advantages

Because there is no excess mass in the inductively heated nozzle of anembodiment of our extruder heater, the time to heat up and cool down isvery short, and the power required is much lower than conventionalresistively heated extruders or dispensers. In 3-D printers using priorart extruder heaters, we have observed that the slow rate of heating andcooling causes the melted plastic to begin to flow after the extruderhead or build platform has begun to move, and continues to flow afterthe motion has ceased. This lag causes inaccuracies in the parts printedwith prior art extruder heaters.

In addition, the combined mass of the nozzle, magnetic core, and wire inthe present invention is much lower than prior art conventionalresistive extruder heaters, allowing much higher acceleration of a printhead for higher 3-D printing speeds.

The Curie temperature property of the magnetic core material, selectedbelow the maximum safe operating temperature of the extruder ordispenser makes an embodiment of the heater passively safe in the eventof temperature sensor or control circuit failure. No extra circuitry isneeded to monitor the temperature sensor or controller.

In one embodiment, the small mass of the inductively heated nozzle coolsoff quickly when the high-frequency alternating current is removed,eliminating the dripping and oozing problems we have observed withconventional 3-D printer extruders and adhesive dispensers. Conventionalextruders must pull back the filament to prevent dripping or oozing,which adds mechanical complexity and undesirable changes in plasticproperties. The present invention can be handled by operators muchsooner after turning off, with reduced danger of burns.

Because the magnetic field induced by the coil is concentrated by themagnetic core onto two small areas on either side of the nozzle heatingbody, in one embodiment, there are areas not within the magnetic fieldfor easy measurement of the nozzle temperature. Thermocouples orresistive temperature devices attached to the nozzle in these areasoutside of the magnetic field region will not experience eddy current orhysteresis heating effects, and thus will provide an accurate indicationof the temperature inside the nozzle. Because the nozzle heating bodycan be made very small, the temperature at the surface being measuredwill also be very close to the temperature inside the nozzle.

The inductively heated nozzle in one embodiment has such a small surfacearea that only a small amount of thermal insulation is required toprotect the operator of the 3-D printer or adhesive dispenser and keepthe temperature of adjacent components of a 3-D printer cool, reducingthe size and cost.

DRAWINGS

Figures

FIGS. 1A and 1B show embodiments illustrating different nozzle shapes.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show embodiments illustrating different shapedmagnetic cores.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show embodiments illustrating different nozzleorifices.

FIG. 4 shows a dual heat zone embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views illustrating tapered nozzleembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a dual wire coil embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show embodiments incorporating temperature sensing andcontrol.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment in a 3-D printer.

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

10—filament, rod or other feedstock, omitted in some figures for clarity

20—insulated wire coil or coils, omitted in some figures for clarity

30—electrically and thermally conductive nozzle or nozzles

31—inlet orifice or orifices

32—outlet orifice or orifices

33—passage or passages, omitted in some figures for clarity

34—heat sink flange present in some embodiments

40—magnetic non-conductive core

41—air gap present in some embodiments

42—path of magnetic flux in magnetic core and nozzle

50—temperature sensor, omitted in some figures for clarity

51—thermostat, omitted in some figures for clarity

60—high-frequency alternating current source, omitted in some figuresfor clarity

70—temperature control circuit, omitted in some figures for clarity

71—signal from temperature control circuit to alternating currentsource.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment—FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C is an inductively heated extruderheater. The nozzle 30 consists of a heating body made of an electricallyand thermally conductive material, such as steel, with an inlet orifice31 and an outlet orifice 32. The inlets and outlets are connected by apassage 33 (not visible in FIGS. 1A-1C). The nozzle 30 fits into a holeor gap cut or formed through a loop of high-permeability soft magneticmaterial such as ferrite or pressed iron powder, forming a core 40.

Electrically conductive wire is coiled around and through this loop toform one or more coils 20. An high-frequency alternating current source60 applies a high-frequency alternating current to the wire coil orcoils 20. There may optionally be small air gaps 41A and 41B presentbetween the nozzle 30 and the magnetic core 40.

A filament, rod, wire or other feedstock 10 of meltable or flowablematerial is introduced to inlet orifice 31 when the nozzle 30 hasreached operating temperature. The force required to push feedstock 10into the extruder heater is provided by external mechanisms. The meltedmaterial exits outlet orifice 32 after traveling through the passage 33(not visible in FIGS. 1A-1C).

Operation—FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C Embodiment

The high-frequency alternating current flowing in the wire coil or coils20 creates a strong magnetic field within the core 40 ofhigh-permeability material, around path 42. Because it is a closed loop,the magnetic field is nearly all contained within the loop. Very littleelectromagnetic radiation leaks from the coil to cause interference tonearby electronics or radio devices, a problem we have observed withprior art inductive heater designs. Ferrite, iron powder and other knownmagnetic core materials exhibit only very small internal energy losses,because the magnetic particles are very small and insulated from eachother by extremely thin layers of non-magnetic, non-conductive material.The conductive nozzle 30 inserted into the loop, however, will have highlosses (in the form of heat) from eddy currents created by the magneticfield. In the case of nozzles 30 formed from ferrous materials,additional heating takes place from hysteresis losses. These losses areused by this embodiment to melt the filament, rod, or other feedstock 10to be extruded. The loop of magnetic material forming core 40 will oftenbe in the general shape of a toroid, although other shapes can alsowork, as long as they form a closed magnetic circuit.

In some embodiments, there will be present air gaps 41A and 41B, eitherdue to manufacturing variations in the core 40 or the nozzle 30, or bydesign. The air gaps 41A and 41B will lower the permeability andincrease the reluctance of the magnetic circuit through core 40 andnozzle 30. A higher alternating current amplitude from alternatingcurrent source 60 or more turns of wire in coil 20 will maintain asufficiently high magnetic field to heat nozzle 30 to the desiredtemperature.

Non-magnetic nozzle materials that could work in some embodiments mightinclude tungsten, graphite, copper, or aluminum. Additional electricallyand thermally conductive materials are possible.

In some embodiments, a flange 34 is formed at the top of nozzle 30 toreduce the flow of heat up the filament 10. The flange 34, if present,will radiate some of the heat flowing up the filament 10 by conduction,keeping down the temperature of filament 10 before it enters inletorifice 31. The flange 34 could also be formed near the outlet orifice31 to cool the molten material as it exits. Flange 34 could also beformed elsewhere on nozzle 30 to provide selective or localized coolingas desired.

Description—Additional Embodiments—FIGS. 2-6

A circular toroidal shape of core is not the only possibleconfiguration. FIG. 2A shows a rectangular shaped magnetic core 40. Anyshape is possible, as long as it forms a continuous magnetic circuit.The soft magnetic material can be made in bulk and cut to the desiredshape, or can be pressed, molded, or sintered in the final shape. Themagnetic core 40 could be fabricated in segments and fused or heldtogether by high temperature adhesives or mechanical methods. The nozzle30 may be inserted in a hole in core 40 that does not completely severthe core. FIG. 2B is a cross-section illustrating such an embodiment.FIG. 2C shows an embodiment with a more complicated magnetic circuit.There is still a continuous magnetic path 42 through core 40 and nozzle30. Magnetic flux, created by the high frequency current from source 60flowing in coil 20 will substantially follow magnetic path 42 to heatnozzle 30 by induced eddy currents.

The nozzle 30 must have at least one inlet orifice 31 and one outletorifice 32 to extrude feedstock material 10. FIG. 3A illustrates anembodiment with two inlet orifices 31A and 31B and two outlet orifices32A and 32B with two separate passages 33A and 33B to extrude two beadsof material simultaneously and independently. Two inlets 31A and 31B andone outlet 32, connected by passages 33A and 33B, shown in FIGS. 3B and3C, embody a blending arrangement to extrude one bead from two feedstockfilaments 10A and 10B. Passages 33A and 33B can take different forms indifferent embodiments, or be combined into one mixing chamber, toachieve specific mixing characteristics. In another embodimentrepresented by FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C two different feedstocks 10A and 10Bare alternately fed into inlets 31A and 31B, such that only one at atime is extruded from outlet orifice 32. FIG. 3C is a cutaway view ofFIG. 3B making passages 33A and 33B visible.

Multiple magnetic cores 40A and 40B can share a common nozzle 30 forpurposes of multi-zone heating. FIG. 4 illustrates such an embodiment.This is advantageous for feedstock materials 10 that require apreheating step to alter some material properties, such as viscosity ormoisture content, before final melting. Multiple cores 40A and 40B mayalso provide faster heating response time. Core 40A will be wrapped withcoil 20A and connected to high-frequency alternating current source 60A.Core 40B will be wrapped with coil 20B and connected to high frequencyalternating current source 60B, which could have a different amplitudeor frequency than source 60A. Coil 20B could have a different number ofturns than coil 20A, and core 40B could have a different Curietemperature than core 40A.

In one embodiment, the air gaps 41A and 41B due to dimensionalvariations that could occur in manufacturing magnetic core 40 and nozzle30 are eliminated by foaming the nozzle 30 and the gap in core 40 withmatching tapers, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Variability of magneticfield from heater assembly to heater assembly during manufacturing maybe reduced with air gaps 41A and 41B eliminated.

Another embodiment, FIG. 6, has more than one coil of wire. Two coils20A and 20B may permit a two-phase alternating current drive circuit 60Aand 60B with fewer components than a typical single-phase circuit. Threecoils could permit a three-phase alternating current drive circuit,which may have some efficiency benefits. Embodiments with additionalcoils are possible. An embodiment with a single coil with a center-tapmay permit simplified drive electronics, equivalent to the two-coilcircuit illustrated in FIG. 6.

Description—Additional Embodiments—FIG. 7A

One embodiment includes a temperature sensor 50, such as a thermocouple,resistive temperature device, or thermistor, to measure the temperatureof the nozzle 30, and communicate that temperature to a control circuit70, which controls the alternating current source 60 by signal 71.

Operation—FIG. 7A Embodiment

In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the alternating current source 60 hasadjustable frequency or amplitude. The adjustment is performed by signal71 from temperature control circuit 70 in response to changes in thetemperature of nozzle 30 as measured by sensor 50. A person skilled inthe art is familiar with suitable temperature control circuits. Themagnetic field strength in magnetic core 40 is directly related to andcontrolled by the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current incoil 20.

Description and Operation—FIG. 7B Embodiment

Another embodiment uses a thermostatic device 51 in contact with thenozzle 30 to turn the alternating current on and off in coil 20 tocontrol the temperature in nozzle 30. The thermostat 51 may eitherdisconnect the supply of high-frequency alternating current to the coil20, as shown in FIG. 7B, or it may alternatively disconnect the powersource to the alternating current source 60.

Operation—FIGS. 7A and 7B Embodiments

The magnetic permeability of ferrite and iron powder materials variessomewhat with temperature. As the temperature of the material rises, iteventually reaches a point called the Curie temperature. Above the Curietemperature, the permeability drops to negligible levels. This causesthe magnetic field to also drop to very low levels. A thin layer of thesoft magnetic core that is in contact with the nozzle will heat up tothe temperature of the nozzle by thermal conduction. When this exceedsthe Curie temperature, the permeability of this thin layer will drop.The magnetic field will then drop, reducing the eddy current andhysteresis losses that are heating the nozzle. Inductive heaters forsoldering irons have used this property to regulate the temperature oftheir heating elements. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, theCurie temperature is used as a safety measure. If the control circuitry70 or sensor 50 or thermostat 51 malfunctions, the magnetic core 40temperature cannot exceed the Curie temperature because the magneticfield in magnetic core 40 will drop, lowering the eddy and hysteresiscurrents in nozzle 30, which will lower the temperature in nozzle 30 toa temperature close to the Curie temperature of core 40. Choosing a corematerial with a Curie temperature lower than the maximum safetemperature of the heater assembly and feedstock material makes thisembodiment passively safe from overheating or fire, which we have foundto be a serious problem with prior art extruder heaters.

Description and Operation—FIG. 8 Embodiment

A 3-D printer or additive manufacturing system may consist of a buildbed 80, where the part is printed or formed, layer by layer, thefilament feeder 90, the extruder heater 100, and a mechanism 110 to movethe extruder relative to the build bed 80. A control circuit 70 actuatesthe movement of the extruder relative to the build bed 80, thetemperature of the extruder 100, and the feed rate of the filamentfeeder 90. The smaller the extruder heater 100 the smaller the printercan be, and the lighter the extruder heater 100, the faster extruderheater 100 can be moved relative to the build bed 80. The smaller themass being heated in the extruder 100, the faster the filament feed ratecan be changed. Printing a 3-D part requires the filament feed to bestarted and stopped many times for each layer deposited. Our inductiveextruder heater focuses the heating energy to the smallest possible massin the nozzle, permitting much faster operation than prior art 3-Dprinters. Because the heating body in some embodiments of our extruderheater is very small, with a very short passage for the filament 10 topass through, much less force is required to push the filament 10 intoand through the nozzle (not shown in this FIG. 8). Less force requiredpermits smaller feed mechanisms than necessary for prior art extruderheaters.

We have found it desirable to have multiple filament feeders 90 andextruder heaters 100 in 3-D printers, permitting a part to be formedwith more than one color or type of plastic filament 10. Prior artextruders were too heavy and bulky to permit multiple filaments in acompact printer. An embodiment of our extruder heater is small enoughthat multiple extruders can be easily installed in even very compact 3-Dprinters.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, at least one embodiment of this inductively heated extruderheater is much lighter, more compact, and more energy efficient thanconventional extruder heaters, reaches operating temperature in far lesstime, and responds to temperature set point changes much quicker, whilepossessing inherent safety not present in prior art extruder heaters.The material costs to produce this design are lower than conventionalresistance heaters, and the components are well suited to low-cost,automated manufacturing.

Despite the specific details present in our descriptions above, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope. Rather they serveas exemplification of several embodiments. Many other variations arepossible. For example, the tapered nozzle may be used with eithercircular or non-circular soft magnetic cores. The inlet and outletorifices in the nozzle do not have to be concentric. The nozzle does notneed to be positioned perpendicular to the plane of the toroidal core.The nozzle may be inserted into a hole through the core, without thecore being completely severed. The wire used in the coil may be of roundor rectangular cross-section, and may have any type of insulationbetween turns, including air, that is compatible with the operatingtemperatures. The shape and size of the inlet and outlet orifices may beadjusted to suit the materials being extruded. Instead of filament orrod feedstock, a tube may deliver granular or viscous material to theheater, which will be melted or heated to a reduced viscosity conditionbefore exiting the outlet. The soft magnetic core may have a complexthree-dimensional shape, resulting in a magnetic path that does not liein a plane. The heat sink flange, if present, may be in many differentforms and shapes, as needed, to radiate heat away from the feedstock.

Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodimentsillustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A method for heating a feedstock of meltable or flowablematerial, comprising: a) providing a heating body of electricallyconductive material, having inlet and outlet orifices connected via apassage or passages or mixing chamber to define a nozzle; b) said nozzlesandwiched between the two ends of, or inserted through a hole or gapin, a continuous or segmented core of material having high magneticpermeability but low electrical conductivity, forming a completemagnetic loop, said nozzle not oriented substantially in the same planeas said magnetic loop, c) one or more coils of electrically conductivewire passing through the center of said loop and around the outside ofsaid loop, and one or more sources of alternating current connected tosaid coil or coils, inducing said magnetic flux lines and said eddycurrents, d) feeding said feedstock in the form of filament, rod, wire,granules, or liquid stream into said inlet orifice or orifices; e) saidfeedstock being heated by contact with said nozzle, and f) extrudingsaid feedstock from said outlet orifice or orifices.
 2. Method of claim1, maintaining a relatively constant temperature of said heating body bymeans of a temperature sensor or thermostatic device thermally connectedto said heating body, controlling the heating effect by varying voltageamplitude, current amplitude, or frequency of said alternating currentsource or sources, or by cycling said alternating current source orsources on and off.
 3. Method of claim 1, where said magnetic core isformed from material chosen for a specific Curie temperature, such thatsaid heating body is passively limited to or regulated at a specifictemperature.
 4. Method of claim 1, where said feedstock is heated at twoor more different temperatures in two or more heat zones in said heatingbody, by means of two or more of said magnetic cores sandwiching saidheating body.
 5. Method of claim 1, where two or more sources of saidfeedstock are heated, mixed, and extruded, by feeding said feedstockinto two or more inlet orifices connected to a mixing chamber and thenceto an outlet orifice defining a mixing nozzle.
 6. Method of claim 1,where two or more sources of said feedstock are heated, mixed, andextruded, by feeding said feedstock into two or more inlet orifices,connected to a mixing chamber, with individual heating zones for eachfeedstock inlet, connecting to an outlet orifice defining a mixingnozzle.
 7. Method of claim 1, where two or more sources of saidfeedstock are heated and extruded, without mixing, by feeding saidfeedstock into two or more inlet orifices connected to two or moreoutlet orifices by individual passages defining one or more nozzles inone heating body.
 8. Method of claim 1, where said heating body has aflange comprising a heat sink attached to or formed in said heating bodyto selectively cool portions of said heating body.
 9. A method forheating a feedstock of meltable or flowable material for additivemanufacturing or 3D printing, comprising: a) providing a heating body ofelectrically conductive material, having inlet and outlet orificesconnected via a passage or passages or mixing chamber to define anozzle; b) said nozzle sandwiched between the two ends of, or insertedthrough a hole or gap in, a continuous or segmented core of materialhaving high magnetic permeability but low electrical conductivity,forming a complete magnetic loop, said nozzle not oriented substantiallyin the same plane as said magnetic loop, c) one or more coils ofelectrically conductive wire passing through the center of said loop andaround the outside of said loop, and one or more sources of alternatingcurrent connected to said coil or coils, inducing said magnetic fluxlines and said eddy currents, d) feeding said feedstock in the form offilament, rod, wire, granules, or liquid stream into said inlet orificeor orifices; e) said feedstock being heated by contact with said nozzle,and f) extruding said feedstock from said outlet orifice or orifices.10. Method of claim 9, maintaining a relatively constant temperature ofsaid heating body by means of a temperature sensor or thermostaticdevice thermally connected to said heating body, controlling the heatingeffect by varying voltage amplitude, current amplitude, or frequency ofsaid alternating current source or sources, or by cycling saidalternating current source or sources on and off.
 11. Method of claim 9,where said magnetic core is formed from material chosen for a specificCurie temperature, such that said heating body is passively limited toor regulated at a specific temperature.
 12. Method of claim 9, wheresaid feedstock is heated at two or more different temperatures in two ormore heat zones in said heating body, by means of two or more of saidmagnetic cores sandwiching said heating body.
 13. Method of claim 9,where two or more sources of said feedstock are heated, mixed, andextruded, by feeding said feedstock into two or more inlet orificesconnected to a mixing chamber and thence to an outlet orifice defining amixing nozzle.
 14. Method of claim 9, where two or more sources of saidfeedstock are heated, mixed, and extruded, by feeding said feedstockinto two or more inlet orifices, connected to a mixing chamber, withindividual heating zones for each feedstock inlet, connecting to anoutlet orifice defining a mixing nozzle.
 15. Method of claim 9, wheretwo or more sources of said feedstock are heated and extruded, withoutmixing, by sequentially feeding said feedstocks into two or more inletorifices connected to one or more outlet orifices by individual passagesdefining one or more nozzles in one heating body.
 16. Method of claim 9,where said heating body has a flange comprising a heat sink attached toor formed in said heating body to selectively cool portions of saidheating body.
 17. A method for heating a feedstock of meltable orflowable material for adhesive application, comprising: a) providing aheating body of electrically conductive material, having inlet andoutlet orifices connected via a passage or passages or mixing chamber todefine a nozzle; b) said nozzle sandwiched between the two ends of, orinserted through a hole or gap in, a continuous or segmented core ofmaterial having high magnetic permeability but low electricalconductivity, forming a complete magnetic loop, said nozzle not orientedsubstantially in the same plane as said magnetic loop, c) one or morecoils of electrically conductive wire passing through the center of saidloop and around the outside of said loop, and one or more sources ofalternating current connected to said coil or coils, inducing saidmagnetic flux lines and said eddy currents, d) feeding said feedstock inthe form of filament, rod, wire, granules, or liquid stream into saidinlet orifice or orifices; e) said feedstock being heated by contactwith said nozzle, and f) extruding said feedstock from said outletorifice or orifices.
 18. Method of claim 17, maintaining a relativelyconstant temperature of said heating body by means of a temperaturesensor or thermostatic device thermally connected to said heating body,controlling the heating effect by varying voltage amplitude, currentamplitude, or frequency of said alternating current source or sources,or by cycling said alternating current source or sources on and off. 19.Method of claim 17, where said magnetic core is formed from materialchosen for a specific Curie temperature, such that said heating body ispassively limited to or regulated at a specific temperature.
 20. Methodof claim 17, where said heating body has a flange comprising a heat sinkattached to or formed in said heating body to selectively cool portionsof said heating body.